Prosecutor Kym Worthy has charged Laurence James Powell, 27, (DOB: 04/27/1995), of Detroit, in connection with the homicide of two-year-old Xavier Jones. Defendant Powell is the boyfriend of Xavier's mother.
On August 17, 2022, the victim was privately conveyed to local hospital for his injuries. At approximately 11:00 p.m., Detroit police officers were dispatched to the hospital and placed Defendant Powell under arrest. It is alleged that earlier the same day, at the defendant's residence in the 15390 block of Linwood Avenue in Detroit, Xavier suffered blunt force trauma to the back of his head and his spine. Xavier succumbed to his injuries on August 19, 2022.
On August 20, 2022, Defendant Powell was charged with Child Abuse First Degree in 36th District Court while WCPO was waiting for the Medical Examiner's Report to be completed. He was arraigned on the same day in 36th District Court and given a $250,000 cash/surety bond. If released, the defendant was to receive a GPS tether and home confinement. He was ordered to have no contact with the mother of the victim. He is currently in the Wayne County Jail.
Due to an administrative issue at 36th District Court the case was refiled. The prior Child Abuse First Degree was dismissed. Today, Laurence Powell was arraigned and remanded to jail on one count of Felony Murder, and one count of First-Degree Child Abuse in 36th District Court. The Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for September 8, 2022, and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for September 15, 2022, before Judge Kenneth King. Please request a photograph of the defendant from the Detroit Police Department.
*The charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Original source can be found here.
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